Verbal communication, professionalism and corroboration are the most often requested skills in nursing and health care support job ads, according to a LiveCareer analysis of recent job postings. Resumes mention professionalism to a sufficient degree, but fall short on communication and corroboration. Job seekers need all three skills for the best shot at catching a hiring manager's attention.
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As physicians and other health care professionals continue to face lower demand the job market will stay competitive.
The ability to communicate effectively with patients who might be stressed or scared, and test or validate the new policies your employer puts in place will be essential for thriving during uncertain times.
LiveCareer pinpointed the skills listed most often in job ads, including the precise wording of each skill. This data-based approach reveals the terminology employers expect to see on nursing and health care support applications, and can help guide job seekers in refreshing their resumes.
Top hard, soft and remote work skills that will help you land nursing and health care support jobs
We analyzed job ads for a wide range of nursing and health care support positions, including home health aides, caregivers, nursing assistants, medical receptionists, medical assistants, phlebotomists, dental assistants, registered nurses and nurse practitioners. Here are the skills that rose to the top.
Soft skills
- Verbal communication
Found in 38.85% of health care job ads
Look for words like speak, state and say. - Corroborate
Found in 30.36% of job ads
Look for words like test, validate and check. - Professionalism
Found in 23.56% of job ads
Look for words like professional, experienced and qualified. - Critical thinking
Found in 20.78% of job ads
Look for words like brainstorm, think through and inquire. - Safety conscious
Found in 19.64% of job ads
Look for words like safely, hazard and secure. - Management skills
Found in 19.51% of job ads
Look for words like manage, oversee, conduct, supervise and direct.
Hard skills
- Dental procedures
Found in 36.76% of job ads
Look for words like patient care and oral hygiene. - Bathing
Found in 36.36% of job ads
Terms will be exact or self-explanatory. - Training
Found in 29.02% of job ads
Look for words like instruct, teach and train. - Food preparation
Found in 28.23% of job ads
Look for words like kitchen equipment, food prep and dishes.
Remote Work Skills
- Project management tools Teamwork (found in 5.05% of job ads) and Monday (found in 3.24% of job ads).
- Video call software FaceTime found in 1.49% of job ads.
An experienced home health aide resume example
How to add skills to your resume
Read the job description, understand what the employer is seeking and use the exact wording of the skills listed in the job posting.
1. Weave a few important critical soft skills into your summary statement.
Example one: Dental hygienist
Cutting-edge recent graduate dental hygienist with latest training and real-world experience. Skilled at dental cleanings and patient education. Well versed in all aspects of dental office operations. Quick to build relationships with patients and successful at working with teammates to achieve patient care goals.
Example two: Certified nursing assistant
Professional and caring nursing assistant offering over three years of patient-facing experience. Adept at addressing patient needs with compassionate care and attention to detail. Diligent about maximizing satisfaction, and managing the safety and wellness of patients of all backgrounds.
2. Create a separate skills section. Make sure to include both hard and soft skills.
Example one: Medical receptionist
- HIPAA guidelines
- Office administration
- Medical billing and coding
- Patient scheduling
- Project management tools
- FaceTime
Example two: Dental office manager
- Dental staff support
- Treatment room setup
- Payment plans
- Understanding confidentiality laws
- Policies and procedures
- FaceTime
3. Lace skills throughout top achievements in your work experience section.
Example one: Patient coordinator
- Reviewed each step of patient care and made proactive adjustments to avert issues.
- Established rapport and relationships with patients and external partners to cross-train and support medical staff.
- Informed patients and caregivers on clearance procedures to maintain patient health and facilitate recovery goals.
Example two: Orthodontic assistant
- Scheduled appointments for new and existing customers, factoring in provider availability and scheduling loads.
- Prepped all examination rooms, sterilized equipment and instruments and maintained appropriate tray setup.
- Took x-rays, photographs and impressions of patients' teeth and mouth.
How to grow this skill set
Employers are going to want to see you are continuing to build your nursing and health care support skills. There are many options available to you, including:
- Build your soft skills. Medical professionals spend so much time and energy learning the essential skills of their trade, they often overlook skills like communication and teamwork, which are reportedly highly desired by employers in those industries. You could build these skills with courses on online learning platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and edX.
- Get actively involved in LinkedIn Groups like the American Nurses Association where nursing and health care support professionals are talking about key issues in the profession and sharing job opportunities.
- If you're looking to work in a health care office, you can enhance your status with certifications. The American College of Health Care Administrators offers the Certified Nursing Home Administrator and Certified Assisted Living Administrator programs. You can also pursue a health information management certification with the American Health Information Management Association or one in medical management from the Professional Association of Healthcare Office Management.
